Drugs
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Illegal drugs such as marijuana (cannabis), heroin, ice, ecstasy and cocaine can have a serious effect on our physical and mental health. Treatment and support are available.
Information in your language
Information in your language about
- Alcohol facts
Learn all about alcohol - includes standard drink size, health risks and effects, how to keep track of your drinking, binge drinking, how long it takes to leave the body, tips to lower intake.
- Amphetamines
Amphetamines are stimulant drugs that speed up messages between the brain and body.
- Anabolic steroids
Prolonged misuse of steroids can cause liver damage and severe mood swings.
- Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (tranquillisers) are highly addictive and should only be used for certain conditions in a short-term or emergency situation.
- Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant that acts on the brain and nervous system.
- Cannabis (marijuana)
Cannabis has many harmful effects on health.
- Cocaine
Cocaine is a highly addictive illegal stimulant that has serious side effects.
- GHB
GHB is a party drug that produces feelings of euphoria, confidence, relaxation and sociability. GHB is highly addictive and even a small increase in dose can cause serious effects or death.
- Heroin
Heroin is a depressant of the central nervous system, which means it slows down brain function and particularly the control of breathing.
- Ice (crystal methamphetamine)
The drug ice, is a stimulant with a high risk of addiction if it used regularly.
- Inhalants
Inhalants are chemical substances that give off fumes that can be breathed in to achieve a 'high'.
- Kava
It is dangerous to take kava in combination with alcohol or other psychoactive drugs.
- MDMA (ecstasy)
MDMA (ecstasy) is an illegal stimulant and hallucinogenic drug that can cause stroke and heart attack.
- Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide is a colourless, odourless gas that has various uses, that can alter your mood and senses when inhaled.
- Psychedelics
Psychedelics also known as Hallucinogens target specific centres of the brain to alter its understanding of sensory input.
- Synthetic drugs
Synthetic drugs aim to mimic the effects of existing illicit drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy.
- Victorian Pill Testing Service
Pill testing helps people make safer choices by showing them what's really in their drugs. Pill testing gives people a safe space to ask questions and get help without judgment.
- Monitoring your mood
Most people know when they are feeling ‘in a mood’. But do you know what ‘mood’ means? Or where your mood comes from? Or how to change your mood? Understanding your moods may help you work out what causes them and how you tend to behave when you are in different moods.
- Substance misuse and mental illness – dual diagnosis
Dual diagnosis means someone has both a mental illness and a substance use problem.
- Aboriginal health services
The following services provide specialised healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.
- Alcohol and drugs - dependence and addiction
Asking for help when you first suspect you have an alcohol or drug problem is important. If you think you have an addiction, speak to your local doctor or phone DirectLine.
- Alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatments and programs
Counsellors, doctors and other healthcare professionals can help if you have a problem with alcohol or other drugs (AOD).
- Assessing your alcohol and drug use
If you are worried about your alcohol or drug use or, call DirectLine on 1800 888 236 for counselling, information and referral, or speak with your local doctor.
- Drug overdose
Alcohol, medications, illegal drugs and some herbal remedies can all cause damage if an overdose is taken.
- Heroin dependence - medication treatments
Medication treatments for heroin dependence include methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone.
- Talking to health professionals about drugs, alcohol or addiction
Talking with your doctor or healthcare professional is an important step in getting care for issues of drug or alcohol addiction or dependence.
- Victorian Pill Testing Service
Pill testing helps people make safer choices by showing them what's really in their drugs. Pill testing gives people a safe space to ask questions and get help without judgment.
- Alcohol facts
Learn all about alcohol - includes standard drink size, health risks and effects, how to keep track of your drinking, binge drinking, how long it takes to leave the body, tips to lower intake.
- Drug overdose
Alcohol, medications, illegal drugs and some herbal remedies can all cause damage if an overdose is taken.
- How drugs affect your body
Drugs affect your body’s central nervous system. They affect how you think, feel and behave.
- Pregnancy - medication, drugs and alcohol
Most women take a drug of some kind during pregnancy, sometimes without realising the potential for harm.
- Substance misuse and mental illness – dual diagnosis
Dual diagnosis means someone has both a mental illness and a substance use problem.
- Teeth and drug use
Many drugs, both prescription and illegal, can cause tooth damage.
- Teeth and medication
Many drugs, both prescription and illegal, can cause tooth damage.
- Victorian Pill Testing Service
Pill testing helps people make safer choices by showing them what's really in their drugs. Pill testing gives people a safe space to ask questions and get help without judgment.
- Drug use in Victoria
Surveys provide information about drug use and the characteristics of people who use drugs in Victoria and Australia.
- Drugs, teenagers and parenting
Teenagers use drugs for similar reasons that adults do.
- Pregnancy - medication, drugs and alcohol
Most women take a drug of some kind during pregnancy, sometimes without realising the potential for harm.
- Alcohol and drugs - dependence and addiction
Asking for help when you first suspect you have an alcohol or drug problem is important. If you think you have an addiction, speak to your local doctor or phone DirectLine.
- Alcohol facts
Learn all about alcohol - includes standard drink size, health risks and effects, how to keep track of your drinking, binge drinking, how long it takes to leave the body, tips to lower intake.
- Drug overdose
Alcohol, medications, illegal drugs and some herbal remedies can all cause damage if an overdose is taken.
- Exercise and mental health
Research shows that people who exercise regularly have better mental health and emotional wellbeing, and lower rates of mental illness.
- Partying safely
Partying can be fun, but you need to be aware of the risks, which can include accidents, robbery, violence and sexual assault.
- Partying safely at schoolies
Every year, Year 12 students head to schoolies (leavers) to celebrate the end of school life. Includes alcohol and drug safety, tips, how to prepare, what to pack and what to do in an emergency.
- Talking to kids about drugs
All children are eventually exposed to drugs ‒ prescription medication, alcohol and tobacco, and sometimes illegal drugs too ‒ or to messages about drugs.
- Victorian Pill Testing Service
Pill testing helps people make safer choices by showing them what's really in their drugs. Pill testing gives people a safe space to ask questions and get help without judgment.
Reviewed on: 04-09-2024